Capitalization Rules: English ЕГЭ 2025 Preparation

Understanding when to use capital letters is an essential aspect of English writing. This guide will help you master the rules of capitalization, which will enhance your performance in the writing section of the ЕГЭ English exam. By learning these rules and practicing their application, you will be able to write with greater accuracy and professionalism.

Theory for Exam Preparation

Capitalization in English follows specific rules that indicate the importance or special nature of particular words. Using capital letters correctly is an important component of the writing tasks in the ЕГЭ English exam. Incorrect capitalization can make your writing appear unprofessional or careless, potentially resulting in lower scores. This guide will explore the various rules for capitalization in English, including capitalizing the first word of sentences, proper nouns, titles, headings, and other special cases. By familiarizing yourself with these rules and practicing their application, you will be better equipped to write accurately and effectively in the exam.

Basic Capitalization Rules

First Word of Sentences

Always capitalize the first word of a sentence:

Examples:

This rule also applies to the first word after a colon if what follows is a complete sentence (primarily in American English):

Examples:

Note: In British English, the word after a colon is not typically capitalized unless it's a proper noun or the start of a quotation.

First Word in Direct Quotations

Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation that forms a complete sentence:

Examples:

If the quotation is integrated into the sentence and doesn't begin with the original first word of the quoted sentence, do not capitalize the first word:

Examples:

The Pronoun "I"

Always capitalize the pronoun "I" regardless of its position in a sentence:

Examples:

Proper Nouns and Proper Adjectives

Names of People

Capitalize the names of specific people, including first names, last names, and middle names:

Examples:

Also capitalize titles when they precede names:

Examples:

However, do not capitalize titles when they are used generally:

Examples:

Geographic Names

Capitalize the names of specific places, including countries, cities, states, continents, bodies of water, mountains, and other geographic features:

Examples:

Also capitalize the directions when they refer to specific regions, but not when they indicate direction:

Examples:

Names of Organizations and Institutions

Capitalize the names of specific organizations, institutions, companies, and government agencies:

Examples:

However, do not capitalize the word "the" at the beginning of organization names unless it is part of the official name:

Examples:

Nationalities, Languages, and Religions

Capitalize the names of nationalities, languages, and religions:

Examples:

Proper Adjectives

Capitalize adjectives derived from proper nouns:

Examples:

However, some adjectives derived from proper nouns are no longer capitalized because they have become commonplace:

Examples:

Titles and Headings

Titles of Works

Capitalize the first word, the last word, and all major words in titles of books, articles, movies, songs, plays, and other works:

Examples:

Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), short prepositions (in, on, to, etc.), and coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, etc.) unless they are the first or last word of the title:

Examples:

Headings and Subheadings

Follow the same capitalization rules for headings and subheadings as for titles:

Examples:

Academic Course Names

Capitalize specific course names, but not general subjects unless they are languages or derived from proper nouns:

Examples:

Time Periods and Events

Days, Months, and Holidays

Capitalize the names of days, months, and holidays:

Examples:

However, do not capitalize the names of seasons unless they are personified in literary works:

Examples:

Historical Periods and Events

Capitalize the names of specific historical periods, events, and movements:

Examples:

However, do not capitalize general time periods:

Examples:

Special Cases

Family Relationships

Capitalize terms of family relationship only when they are used as names or as part of names:

Examples:

Celestial Bodies

Capitalize the names of planets, stars, and other celestial bodies, but not the words "earth," "sun," and "moon" when they are used in a general sense:

Examples:

However, capitalize "Earth," "Sun," and "Moon" when they are discussed specifically as celestial bodies in an astronomical context:

Examples:

Brand Names and Trademarks

Capitalize brand names and trademarks:

Examples:

Note that some brand names have unconventional capitalization as part of their official styling (e.g., iPhone, eBay). In formal writing, it's generally best to follow the company's preferred styling.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Capitalize abbreviations and acronyms:

Examples:

Differences Between British and American English

Titles and Headings

In British English, only the first word and proper nouns in titles and headings are typically capitalized (sentence case), while American English capitalizes all major words (title case):

British English:

American English:

Job Titles

British English tends to use fewer capitals for job titles when they are not used before a name, while American English is more likely to capitalize important positions:

British English:

American English:

Capitalization in the ЕГЭ English Exam

Common Capitalization Errors to Avoid

In the ЕГЭ English exam, certain capitalization errors are particularly common. Be careful with:

Strategies for Correct Capitalization in the Exam

Practice Examples

Correct the capitalization errors in these sentences.

  1. last summer, i visited paris and rome with my french teacher.
  2. The President of the united states will meet with the prime minister of great britain on tuesday.
  3. My favorite book is "the catcher in the rye" by j.d. salinger.
  4. She studies english, spanish, and mathematics at Oxford university.
  5. During the middle ages, christianity was the dominant religion in europe.

Answers:

1. Last summer, I visited Paris and Rome with my French teacher.

2. The President of the United States will meet with the Prime Minister of Great Britain on Tuesday.

3. My favorite book is "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger.

4. She studies English, Spanish, and mathematics at Oxford University.

5. During the Middle Ages, Christianity was the dominant religion in Europe.

Choose the correctly capitalized version of each sentence.

  1. a) My uncle works for the united nations.
    b) My Uncle works for the United Nations.
    c) My uncle works for the United Nations.
  2. a) We're studying the Industrial Revolution in history class.
    b) We're studying the industrial revolution in History class.
    c) We're studying the Industrial Revolution in History class.
  3. a) The earth orbits around the sun once every 365 days.
    b) The Earth orbits around the Sun once every 365 days.
    c) The earth orbits around the Sun once every 365 days.
  4. a) She asked, "where are you going?"
    b) She asked, "Where are you going?"
    c) She asked, "where Are You Going?"
  5. a) I'm taking Introduction to Psychology and spanish literature this semester.
    b) I'm taking introduction to psychology and Spanish literature this semester.
    c) I'm taking Introduction to Psychology and Spanish Literature this semester.

Answers:

1. c) My uncle works for the United Nations. (Capitalize the name of the organization but not the family relationship when used with a possessive pronoun)

2. a) We're studying the Industrial Revolution in history class. (Capitalize the specific historical period but not the general subject)

3. b) The Earth orbits around the Sun once every 365 days. (In astronomical contexts, capitalize Earth and Sun)

4. b) She asked, "Where are you going?" (Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation that forms a complete sentence)

5. c) I'm taking Introduction to Psychology and Spanish Literature this semester. (Capitalize specific course names and languages/literature derived from proper nouns)

Identify whether each word should be capitalized or not in the given context.

  1. We celebrate (independence) day on July 4th.
  2. My (aunt) Mary is coming to visit next week.
  3. I enjoy studying (history) and (english).
  4. The (president) will address the nation tonight.
  5. The (pacific) ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.

Answers:

1. Independence - Yes, capitalize. It's part of a specific holiday name (Independence Day).

2. aunt - Yes, capitalize. It's used as part of a name (Aunt Mary).

3. history - No, don't capitalize. It's a general academic subject.
english - Yes, capitalize. It's a language derived from a proper noun (England).

4. president - No, don't capitalize. It's used as a general title, not before a specific name.

5. pacific - Yes, capitalize. It's part of the name of a specific geographic feature (Pacific Ocean).

Rewrite each title using correct capitalization according to American English rules.

  1. the adventures of sherlock holmes
  2. a brief history of time
  3. war and peace
  4. the importance of being earnest
  5. to kill a mockingbird

Answers:

1. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Capitalize first word, last word, and all major words; "of" is a short preposition, so it remains lowercase)

2. A Brief History of Time (Capitalize first word, last word, and all major words; "of" is a short preposition, so it remains lowercase)

3. War and Peace (Capitalize first word, last word, and all major words; "and" is a coordinating conjunction, but it's capitalized here because it's a major word in this short title)

4. The Importance of Being Earnest (Capitalize first word, last word, and all major words; "of" is a short preposition, so it remains lowercase)

5. To Kill a Mockingbird (Capitalize first word, last word, and all major words; "a" is an article, so it remains lowercase)

Key Points to Remember

Exam Tip!

In the ЕГЭ English exam, correct capitalization contributes to your overall writing score. Remember:

Remember that while capitalization is important, it's just one aspect of your writing. Focus on clear communication, appropriate vocabulary, and correct grammar as well.